Space qualified solid state laser transmitter-LITE/LTM

In the fall of 1993 the space shuttle Atlantis will carry a neodymium:YAG laser transmitter module (LTM) as part of the NASA Langley Research Center's Lidar In Space Technology Experiment (LITE). Spectron has designed, fabricated, verified, and space qualified the laser transmitter module for LITE. Although it is a flashlamp pumped, Q-switch, Nd:YAG system design for lidar applications, much of its design, engineering, and space qualification are directly applicable to space-based communication lasers. The author presents some of the applicable LITE/LTM elements.<>